Live Updates: Djokovic vs. Nadal

Seven years ago, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal battled for five hours and 53 minutes on Rod Laver Arena in the Australian Open final. That clash remains the longest Grand Slam final in history, as well as the longest match of both players’ careers. There were 369 points played, 11 breaks of serve, classic rallies and barely a blink of an eye.

But there wasn’t only one winner. Djokovic may have emerged victorious from the match, lifting his third of what is now six Norman Brookes Challenge Cups in his trophy case. Nadal showed his fighting spirit and champion’s grit, leaving everything on the court as he always does. But tennis was the true winner that day. And the same should be the case on Sunday, as the pair faces off in what promises to be another all-time classic.

“These are the kind of matches that you live for, finals of Slams, playing the greatest rivals at their best,” Djokovic said. “What more can you ask for? This is where you want to be.”

Djokovic is trying to win his record seventh Australian Open title (tied w/Federer & Emerson with six) and claim his third consecutive major for the third time. The Serbian can also break a tie with Pete Sampras for the third-most Slam titles all-time, as they both own 14. Nadal is trying to become the first player in the Open Era to clinch the career Grand Slam twice. He can also earn his 18th major crown to move within two titles of Roger Federer’s record 20.

“We push each other to the limit of our tennis level,” Nadal said. “Tomorrow is going to be another episode.

“I think I found solutions against Novak during all my career, and he found solutions against me. It’s always about moments. In his best moments, he’s so difficult to beat. In my best moments, I have been a tough opponent, too.”

While Djokovic and Nadal have met 52 times in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series — more than any other pair of players in history — the 2012 final was their lone match at the Australian Open. So with that epic in mind, there is plenty of anticipation as top-seeded Djokovic and 2009 champion Nadal get set for their eighth Grand Slam final match-up.

For the seventh time, Nadal is into a major championship match without dropping a set. On each of the previous six occasions, the Spaniard has gone on to lift the trophy.

That may be mildly surprising considering Nadal arrived at Melbourne Park without competing since last year’s US Open semi-final, in which he retired due to injury. The World No. 2’s longest match by time came in the third round, in which he beat #NextGenATP Aussie Alex de Minaur 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and 22 minutes.

His most impressive performance, however, came in the semi-finals. Reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas entered the last four straight off back-to-back wins against six-time Melbourne titlist Roger Federer and in-form Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. But Nadal lost just six games against the Greek to advance to his fifth final at the year’s first Grand Slam.

“He has played impressively well throughout the entire tournament. He hasn’t dropped a set. He looked as good as ever on the hard court throughout these few weeks,” Djokovic said. “I haven’t played bad myself [my] past couple matches. I think that this final comes at the right time for both of us. I’m sure we’re going to have a blast on the court.”

Djokovic had lost two sets heading into his semi-final against Pouille. But the Serbian took notice of Nadal’s performance on Thursday evening and produced his best effort of the fortnight on Friday, dropping just four games. It was just the seventh time in the Open Era that a man had lost four games or less in a major semi-final.

Was he trying to concede fewer games than Nadal?

“Yes. It was hard to do that, but somehow I managed [it],” Djokovic said, cracking a smile.

Read: 10 Fast Facts Ahead Of The Australian Open Final

As always, it will be fascinating to watch the baseline battles between the pair. Nadal, using his recently-tweaked serve with success during the tournament to take control earlier in rallies, will look to take a crack as early in points and as far inside the court as possible. On the other side, Djokovic will use his pretzel-like flexibility to neutralise those attacks and step into the court. It never gets tiresome to see cross-court rallies between Nadal’s forehand and Djokovic’s backhand, two of the best shots in the sport.

Take The ATP Djokovic-Nadal Rivalry Quiz

This time last year, Djokovic was struggling with a right elbow injury, one that forced him to undergo a procedure after the Australian Open. The Serbian would start 2018 with a 6-6 record. But after winning Wimbledon, completing his Career Golden Masters at Cincinnati and triumphing at the US Open, Djokovic now has a chance to win his third major in a row. And while it will surely be difficult against Nadal, he cherishes these moments. 

“There’s so much at stake, it’s hard to pick one thing. Obviously making history of the sport that I love is an honour and is a privilege. It’s a huge motivation,” Djokovic said. “At the same time Nadal is across the net. We’re playing [the] final of a Grand Slam for the record seventh title here. If you don’t get motivated by all these things, then something is wrong.”